Christian Students Overcome Public Schools’ Double Standards with Day of Dialogue

At the risk of stating the obvious, it isn’t easy being a Christian student in a public school these days

Every day, these young people go to classrooms and cafeterias where discussions center on sensitive topics like homosexuality, transgenderism, gender identity – and most of the time, the conversations are one-sided.

That’s partly because an increasing number of teachers and school officials suggest there’s only one right way to think about topics related to sexuality.

Now, I know that’s a big claim, so let me back it up by giving you an example of how the “new” sexuality is being promoted in public schools.

The “Day of Silence” is an event sponsored by one of the nation’s largest homosexual advocacy groups. It’s billed as “student-led” – at least in part because most parents don’t like the idea of valuable classroom time being used to promote sexual agendas.

But take a look at this year’s “Educator Guide” and you’ll see that teachers are encouraged to share books and materials that introduce kids – even kindergarteners – to “LGBTQ and gender-diverse people” through picture books and books. GLSEN is even suggesting that teachers plan a “school-wide assembly” that day.

Can you imagine being a Christian student in a school that is actively promoting homosexuality? Would you feel like you could share your Bible-based point of view during classroom discussions if your teacher or professor ridicules faith-based views on sexuality?

And yet, despite the cultural opposition, many Christian students desperately do want to talk about their beliefs – and I admire them. These brave teens have told us, time and time again, that they want to lovingly share a biblical perspective with their classmates who have serious questions related to sexuality and self-identity.

That’s why, six years ago, we decided to make free speech tools available to Christian students through our Day of Dialogue website and free-speech event.

And while we make these resources available to teens, it’s entirely up to the students to take the initiative to plan and create events in their own schools.

Because one thing is for sure – the double standard prevalent in today’s public school system means it would not be tolerated for teachers and school officials to promote Day of Dialogue. It’s completely up to the students to have the vision and do the work.

And that’s what happens every year. Christian public high school and college students across the nation download free Day of Dialogue guides, articles, discussion questions and explanations of their free-speech rights, and use them to host an event at their school.

And that’s what I appreciate most about the teens who host Day of Dialogue. They’re not trying to silence those who don’t agree with them. And they’re not aligning themselves with provocative speakers who use inflammatory language to fight censorship attempts.

Far from it! These teens are motivated by love for their classmates. They want to use their First Amendment rights to listen, engage in conversation, and to connect with their peers at a heart-level.

This year, Day of Dialogue will take place on Friday, April 28.

If you know of a Christian teen who might be interested in hosting an event at their school, please give them our URL: www.dayofdialogue.com. At our Day of Dialogue website they’ll learn how they can carve out a safe place for students to ask questions, share ideas, and hear about God’s heart on marriage and sexuality.

Please help us spread the word about this life-giving event – and please be in prayer for the thousands of young people across the nation who will be participating in Day of Dialogue this year.

I’d like to hear from you: What do you think about efforts to promote homosexuality and normalize transgenderism in schools? Do the Christian students in your life feel like their Bible-based opinions on marriage and sexuality are welcomed in their schools? Let me know in the comments section, below.

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Steve Carroll

10 months ago

My kids are homeschooled, but we have lots of interaction with public school students from sports clubs and church. Those experiences, combined with a son who's a sophomore in college, a 17 year old daughter and 13 year old son, I can tell you... Christians with opinions are not welcome to the conversation. If you don't agree with the teachers and especially if you espouse a different view point out loud, you're seen as a bigot, looked down on, and marginalized.

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10 months ago

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Anonymous

10 months ago

Hi Dan: Thank you for raising this point. At first glance, one group backing a side vs. another group backing a different side of an issue appears equally positioned. However, upon closer inspection, there are important distinctions to note for others who may be influenced by your evaluation. Please be aware that the U.S. DoE is a multi-billion $ federal entity funded by involuntary tax dollars. The vast majority of U.S. citizens do not want their tax $s spent for purposes such as DoS - and rightfully so. Glorifying such immoral behavior stands in stark opposition to the Biblical moral ideals this country was founded upon - from its colonial days in Jamestown and Plymouth onward. In contrast, FOTF is a private organization funded by voluntary contributions of supporters under the authority of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations. The difference between the two funding sources (federal involuntary vs. private voluntary) and the motivations of their actions (authoritarian coercion vs. sacrificial love) could not be more evident. Please don't end up on the wrong side of history - God's love wins! (John 3:16|Acts 17:24-31)

Anonymous

10 months ago

Teenagers have it much harder in 2017 than we did. I believe that the hostility towards outspoken Christian teens at school is stronger than ever before. They already struggle with all the typical teenager problems: hormones, dating, body image, popularity, drugs\alcohol - imagine the pressure from peers for "not accepting" the LGBTQ peers. Hetero students defend LGBTQ students against Christian students. Teachers are also afraid to speak up in fear of law suits or even student retaliation, however, I have found that Christian teachers will offer silent support. Praying for our youths. Praying for those who defend their faith and religious liberty. Thank you for such a great resource. I will certainly be sharing this with my teenage son.

Anonymous

10 months ago

Unfortunately to the proponents of this type of behavior any non-conformity is an aberration and must be silenced. It's interesting that those making claims of fascism from the new administration are those who are actually those practicing the fascism and either they don't know it or are willing accomplices.

Anonymous

10 months ago

If Christian students are attacking LGBT students or using their Bibles as weapons against their classmates, I'm glad the hetero students are standing up for their LGBT friends. There's really no place for bigotry in public schools, even if some try to hide it behind their religious books.

Sharon Young

10 months ago

Generally, it isn't Christians attacking LGBTQ folks. It's Christians calmly and nonconfrontationally sharing the idea that Jesus has answers to what they don't want to see as a problem, and when Christians call sin what it is, they choose to see it as an attack. Hetero folk who "defend" LGBTQ folk aren't helping the situation. Christians aren't using the Bible as a weapon or attacking and are most definitely not bigots. They just want to show love - real love, not the kind of fake love that says everything is okay when they know their classmates will spend eternity in hell if they do not accept Jesus as Savior.

Kris Del

10 months ago

I've seen the exact opposite of what you claim Sharon Young. A friend of mine was routinely harassed by a Christian student for her being Jewish and her Christian teachers did nothing to stop it.

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Daly Focus

Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.